MRO Meaning in the Aviation Industry

The term MRO in aviation stands for Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul. MRO services are vital for aircraft safety and operational reliability. These services ensure that aircraft are ready for flight and safe operation. Activities such as routine inspections, necessary repairs and complete overhauls are all part of MRO.

Importance of MRO in Aviation

In the aviation industry, MRO activities are essential for maintaining the safety and reliability of each aircraft. Regular maintenance not only extends the lifespan of the aircraft, but also helps prevent possible failures that could lead to an accident or unexpected downtime.

Repair services focus on any issues that occur during operation. These need to be addressed immediately to avoid more extensive repairs and ultimately, to make sure the aircraft is safe to fly.

Overhaul involves comprehensive checks and restorations. Each part of the aircraft is inspected and reassembled. This procedure is important in prolonging the operational life of an aircraft.

Types of MRO in Aviation

There are four main types of aircraft maintenance:

Line Maintenance:

Pre-flight checks are done by technicians who perform inspections before each flight to ensure that the aircraft is ready for service. This includes checking the engines, control surfaces, avionics, and other critical systems.

Daily and weekly checks are more detailed than pre-flight checks and include fluid levels, tire pressures, and other operational aspects.

Base Maintenance:

A-Checks are conducted every 400-600 flight hours or every 200-300 cycles. These are minor inspections that include visual checks and functional checks of the aircraft’s systems.

B-Checks are more comprehensive than A-Checks and are typically conducted every 6-8 months. They include more detailed inspections and minor repairs.

C-Checks occur every 20-24 months or after a certain number of flight hours. These checks involve a thorough inspection of the aircraft’s structure and systems. They can take 1-2 weeks to complete.

D-Checks, also called “heavy maintenance visits”, are the most comprehensive checks. Conducted every 6-10 years, they involve a complete disassembly and inspection of the aircraft. This can take several weeks to complete.

Engine Maintenance:

Regular inspection and maintenance of engines are crucial for their performance and durability. This includes routine checks, performance monitoring, and overhauls.

An engine overhaul involves disassembling the engine, inspecting each part, replacing worn-out components, and reassembling the engine.

Component Maintenance:

This involves the repair and overhaul of various aircraft components such as landing gear, avionics, and flight control systems.  Regular calibration and testing of avionics ensure accurate navigation and communication.

Key MRO Practices

Efficient maintenance and repair of aircraft rely on some basic, yet essential procedures. Predictive maintenance utilizes data analytics and prognostic technologies to foresee potential failures and address them before they occur. This proactive approach reduces unplanned downtime and enhances safety.

Scheduled maintenance, also known as preventative maintenance, occurs at set intervals based on the aircraft manufacturer’s guidelines and regulatory requirements. This basic upkeep includes activities such as cleaning and lubricating parts, inspecting and replacing worn or broken components, and performing regular checks. Scheduled maintenance ensures all parts of the aircraft are routinely checked and serviced.

Unscheduled maintenance takes place as needed when an unforeseen problem or failure occurs. Examples include fixing structural damage caused by bird strikes, or repair/replacement of malfunctioning aircraft parts. 

As with with any maintenance or repair performed on an aircraft, record keeping is crucial. This includes logging inspections, repairs, parts replacements, and any modifications. These records not only provide a log of an aircraft’s maintenance history, but they are also necessary for proof of compliance with aircraft maintenance regulations.

FBO, But Not MRO

Grand Aire operates the only full-service FBO on the field at the Eugene F. Kranz Toledo Express Airport.  However, it is not to be confused with MRO.  While we do offer numerous amenities and services such as aircraft fueling and de-icing, we do not perform maintenance or repairs on aircraft that makes a stop at our location.

If your air travel brings you to KTOL, we are here to assist you.  We are a member of the Corporate Aircraft Association (CAA) and honored to serve as the Preferred CAA FBO at KTOL.

Simply give us a call at 1-800-70-GRAND, or email our team directly at fbo-lineservice@grandaire.com and let us put our 25+ years of FBO service experience to work for you.